Prayers for Parker benefit includes dance party and auction Jan. 25

Jan 21, 2014

Parker David Jones, 6 years old, is holding his own fighting severe aplastic anemia, a bone marrow disease.

His grandparents, Dover residents Peter Senft and Linda Capone, are hosting a fundraiser for Parker and his family from 8 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Jan. 25, at Frazier's On The Water Restaurant, Treadway Towers, 9 E. Loockerman St., Dover.

Capone's daughter Laura is married to Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Jamar Jones. They are stationed in Elizabeth City, N.C. Laura was reared and educated in Dover, and Linda had a teaching career at William Henry Middle School.

Linda received a call last Labor Day weekend that Parker had been diagnosed with leukemia. After a battery of tests, Parker’s diagnosis changed to severe aplastic anemia, a disease that’s fatal unless a bone marrow transplant can be done.

After several rounds of chemotherapy at Duke Hospital in Durham, N.C., Parker received a bone marrow transplant from his 1-year-old sister. It was a perfect match. Although he is recovering at home in Elizabeth City, he requires weekly appointments at Children’s Hospital in Norfolk, Va.

“While his prognosis is encouraging, his military family is dealing with medical costs as well as travel and living expenses during this situation,” said Senft, an active member of Kent County Chapter 850, Vietnam Veterans of America.

He introduced Parker to the chapter in 2012 by volunteering him as the bell ringer during the reading of names on the memorial for several events at Kent County Memorial Park.

“Parker was such a hit that the chapter made him an honorary member and sent him a chapter challenge coin when we found out he was hospitalized,” said chapter Vice President Paul Davis.

Tickets are only $8. The event will include music by DJ Pat Premier from Washington, D.C., who is donating his service, and an auction.